UMASS/AMHERST  A 


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LIBRARY 


OF  THE 


MASSACHUSETTS 

AGRICULTURAL 

COLLEGE 


SOURC        73 

Z2 


DATE   DUE 

CARD 


LAWS  RELATING 


State  Boaed  of  AGEicriTUEE 

AND 

Incorporated  agricultural  Societies. 


TOGETHER  WITH  THE 


REGULATIONS   OF   THE   BOAED. 


1889. 


BOSTON : 

WRIGHT  &  POTTER  PRINTING  CO.,   STATE  PRINTERS. 

18  Post  Office  Squaee. 

1889. 


63^.  S 


Commontoealt^  of  IgassacIjusBtts. 


Office  of  State  Board  of  Agriculture, 
Boston,  March  5,  1889. 

At  the  annual  meetino-  of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture, 
held  in  Boston,  February  5,  6  and  7,  1889,  the  following 
vote  was  passed  :  — 

Voted,  That  the  laws  governing  the  Board  of  Agriculture  and 
the  agricultural  societies,  together  with  the  requirements  of  the 
Board,  be  printed  as  an  appendix  to  the  secretary's  report  for 
1888,  and  also  in  pamphlet  form  for  distribution  to  the  several 
societies. 

In  conformity  to  this  vote,  this  pamphlet  has  been  pre- 
pared for  the  convenience  of  parties  interested. 


WILLIAM  R.  SESSIONS, 

Secretary. 


STATUTES    RELATING    TO    THE    STATE    BOARD 
OF    ACIRICULTURE. 


PUBLIC   STATUTES.— CHAPTER   20. 


INDEX. 


1.  Board,  how  constituted. 

2.  Tenure  of  office  of  members      Va- 
cancies, how  filled. 

3.  Where  and  how  often  to  meet;    to 
receive  no  compensation. 

4.  Secretary  and  clerk  and  their  sal- 
aries. 

5.  Board  to  be  overseers  of  agricul- 
tural college. 


Board  to  investigate  subjects  relat- 
ing to  agriculture,  take  donations, 
etc. 

to  tix  days  for  annual  meetings  of 
agricultural  societies,  etc. 

to  report  to  general  court. 
Secretary  to  publish  abstracts,  etc. 

may  appoint  agents. 


Section  1.  The  governor,  lieutenant-governor,  and  fo^nYumted' 
secretary  of  the  commonwealth,  the  president  of  the 
agricultural  college,  one  person  appointed  from  and  by 
each  agricultural  society  which  receives  an  annual 
bounty  from  the  commonwealth,  and  three  other  per- 
sons appointed  by  the  governor  with  the  advice  and 
consent  of  the  council,  shall  constitute  the  state  board 
of  agriculture. 

Sect.  2.  One-third  of  the  appointed  members  of 
said  board  shall  retire  from  office  on  the  first  Wednes- 
day of  February  in  each  year,  according  to  their  ap- 
pointments. The  vacancies  thus  occurring  shall  be 
filled  by  the  governor  and  council,  or  by  the  agricul- 
tural societies,  as  the  offices  were  before  filled,  and  the 
persons  thus  appointed  shall  hold  their  oflflces  for  three 
years  from  the  expiration  of  the  former  terms.  Otlier 
vacancies  ma}'  be  filled  in  the  same  manner  for  the 
remainder  of  the  vacant  terms. 


Tenure  of 
office  of  ruem- 
bere. 


Vacancies, 
how  tilled. 


Laws  Relating  to  the 


Where  and 
how  often  to 
meet. 


To  receive  no 
conipetiHiUion, 


Secretary  and 
clerk  and  their 
salaries. 


Salary  estab- 
lished. 


Clerical 
services. 
Lectures. 


Salary  estab- 
lished. 


Board  to  be 
overseers  of 
agricultural 
college. 


to  investi- 
gate subjects 
relating  to 
agriculture, 
take  dona- 
tions, etc. 


Sect.  3.  The  board  shall  meet  at  the  state  house 
or  at  the  agricultural  college  at  least  once  in  each  year, 
and  as  much  oftener  as  may  be  deemed  expedient.  No 
member  of  said  board  shall  receive  compensation  from 
the  commonwealth  except  for  personal  expenses  when 
engaged  in  the  duties  of  the  board. 

Sect.  4.  The  board  may  appoint  and  prescribe 
the  duties  of  a  secretary,  who  shall  receive  a  salary  of 
two  thousand  dollars  a  year ;  and  who,  at  such  times 
as  the  board  shall  approve,  may  employ  a  clerk  at  a 
salary  of  eleven  hundred  dollars  a  year,  and  may  ex- 
pend for  other  clerical  services  in  his  office,  and  for 
lectures  to  be  given  before  the  board  of  agriculture  at 
its  annual  and  other  meetings,  a  sum  not  exceeding 
four  hundred  dollars. 

[Section  4  has  been  amended  by  Acts  of  1883,  chap. 
184,  sect.  1  :  The  secretary  of  the  board  of  agriculture 
shall  receive  an  annual  salary  of  twenty-five  hundred 
dollars,  and  at  the  same  rate  for  any  part  of  a  year. 
Also,  by  Acts  of  1884,  chap.  66,  sect.  1  :  The  sec- 
retary of  the  board  of  agriculture  may  expend  for  other 
clerical  services  in  his  office,  and  for  lectures  to  be 
given  before  the  board  at  its  annual  and  other  meetings, 
a  sum  not  exceeding  eight  hundred  dollars  per  annum. 
Also,  by  Acts  of  1887,  chap.  245,  sect.  1  :  The  clerk  of 
the  secretary  of  the  state  board  of  agriculture  shall 
receive  an  annual  salary  of  twelve  hundred  dollars.] 

Sect.  5.  The  board  shall  be  a  board  of  overseers 
of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  College,  with  powei's 
and  duties  to  be  defined  and  fixed  by  the  governor  and 
council,  but  such  powers  shall  not  control  the  action  of 
the  trustees  of  said  college,  or  negative  their  powers 
and  duties  as  defined  by  chapter  two  hundred  and 
twenty  of  the  acts  of  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and 
sixty-three. 

Sect.  6.  The  board  shall  investigate  such  subjects 
relating  to  improvement  in  agriculture  in  this  common- 
wealth as  they  may  think  proper,  and  may  take,  hold 
in  trust,  and  exercise  central  over  donations  or  be- 
quests made  to  them  for  promoting  agricultural  educa- 
tion or  the  general  interests  of  husbandry. 


Board  of  Agriculture. 


Sect.  7.  They  may  fix  the  days  on  which  the 
different  agricultural  societies  shall  commence  their 
exhibitions,  and  may  prescribe  forms  for  and  regulate 
the  returns  required  of  said  societies,  and  shall  furnish 
to  the  secretary  of  each  society  such  blanks  as  they 
may  deem  necessary  to  secure  uniform  and  reliable 
statistics. 

Sect.  8.  They  shall  annually,  on  or  before  the 
fourth  "Wednesday  of  January,  by  their  chairman  or 
secretary,  submit  to  the  general  court  a  detailed  report 
of  their  doings,  with  such  recommendations  and  sug- 
gestions as  the  interests  of  agriculture  may  require. 

Sect.  9.  The  secretary  of  the  board  shall  in  each 
year  cause  to  be  made  and  published  for  distribution 
as  full  an  abstract  of  the  returns  of  the  agricultural 
societies  as  he  may  deem  useful. 

Sect.  10.  He  may  appoint  one  or  more  suitable 
agents  to  visit,  under  the  direction  of  the  board,  the 
towns  in  the  commonwealth  for  the  purpose  of  inquir- 
ing into  the  methods  and  wants  of  practical  husbandry  ; 
of  ascertaining  the  adaptation  of  agricultural  products 
to  soil,  climate,  and  markets ;  of  encouraging  the 
establishment  of  farmers'  clubs,  agricultural  libraries, 
and  reading-rooms ;  and  of  disseminating  useful  in- 
formation in  agriculture  by  means  of  lectures  or  other- 
wise ;  and  such  agents  shall  annually  in  October  make 
to  the  secretary  detailed  reports. 


Board  to  fix 
days  for  an- 
nual meetings 
of  agriculliiral 
Bocteties,  etc. 


to  report  to 
general  court. 


Secretary  to 
publish 
abstracte,  etc. 


may  appoint 
agents. 


An  Act  authorizing  TO"wrNS  and  cities  to  provide 
FOR  THE  Preservation  and  Reproduction  of 
Forests. 

[Chapter  255,  Acts  of  1882,  Sections  1,  2,  3,  4  and  5.] 

Section  1.     The  voters  of  any  town,  at  a  meeting    Preservation 

I         11  II     1    i>  1  11.  1  ^'"^  culture  of 

legally  called  for  the  purpose,  and  the  city  council  of    forest  trees  by 

»        . ,  n    t  •  .  „     cities  and 

any  city,  may,  for  the  purpose  of  devoting  a  portion  of  towns. 
the  territory  of  such  town  or  city  to  the  preservation, 
reproduction  and  culture  of  forest  trees  for  the  sake  of 
the  wood  and  timber  thereon,  or  for  the  preservation 
of  the  water  supply  of  such  town  or  city,  take  or  pur- 
chase any  land  within  the  limits  of  such  town  or  city, 


Laws  Relating  to  the 


Description  of 
tlie  land  taken 
to  be  recorded 
In  the  registry 
of  deeds. 


Board  of 
forestry  to 
serve  witiiout 
pay;  to 
appoint 
Ijeepers. 


may  lease 
buildings  on 
land. 

Proceeds  of 
sale  of  prod- 
ucts to  be  paid 
to  board. 


may  make  appropriations  of  money  for  such  taking  or 
purchase,  may  receive  donations  of  money  or  land  for 
the  said  purposes,  and  may  make  a  public  domain  of 
the  land  so  devoted,  subject  to  tlie  regulations  herein- 
after prescribed.  The  title  of  all  lauds  so  taken,  pur- 
chased or  received  shall  vest  in  the  Commonwealth,  and 
shall  be  held  in  perpetuity  for  the  benefit  of  the  town 
or  city  in  which  such  land  is  situated. 

Sect.  2.  A  town  or  city  taking  land  under  this  act 
shall,  within  sixty  days  after  such  taking,  file  and  cause 
to  be  recorded  in  the  registry  of  deeds  for  the  county 
or  district  in  which  the  land  is  situated  a  description 
thereof  sufficiently  accurate  for  identifying  the  same. 
In  case  such  town  or  city  and  the  owner  of  such  land 
do  not  agree  upon  the  damage  occasioned  by  such 
taking,  such  damage  shall  be  ascertained  and  deter- 
mined in  the  manner  provided  in  case  of  the  taking  of 
land  for  a  highway  in  such  town  or  city,  and  such  town 
or  city  shall  thereupon  pay  such  sums  as  may  finally 
be  detei'mined  to  be  due. 

Sect.  3.  The  state  board  of  agriculture  shall  act  as 
a  board  of  forestry,  without  pay,  except  for  necessary 
travelling  expenses,  and  shall  have  the  supervision  and 
management  of  all  such  public  domains,  and  shall 
make  all  necessary  regulations  for  their  care  and  use 
and  for  the  increase  and  preservation  of  the  timber, 
wood  and  undergrowth  thereon,  and  for  the  planting  and 
cultivating  of  trees  therein.  The  said  board  shall  ap- 
point one  or  more  persons,  to  be  called  keepers,  to 
have  charge,  subject  to  its  direction,  of  each  such  public 
domain,  enforce  its  regulations  and  perform  such  labor 
thereon  as  said  board  shall  require  ;  and  said  keepers 
shall  have  the  same  power  to  protect  such  domain  from 
injury  and  trespass,  and  to  keep  the  peace  therein  as 
constables  and  police  officers  in  towns. 

Sect.  4.  Said  board  may  lease  any  building  that 
may  be  on  any  such  public  domain  on  such  terms  as  it 
shall  deem  expedient.  All  sums  which  may  be  derived 
from  rents  and  from  the  sale  of  the  products  of  any 
such  domain  shall  be  paid  to  said  board  and  shall  be 
applied  by  itj  so  far  as  necessary,  to  the  management. 


Board  of  Agriculture.  9 

care,  cultivation  and  improvement  of  such  domain  ; 
and  any  surplus  remaining  in  any  year  shall  be  paid 
over  to  the  city  or  town  in  which  such  domain  is  situ- 
ated. Said  board  shall  not,  however,  expend  upon  or 
on  account  of  any  such  public  domain  in  any  year  a 
greater  amount  than  it  receives  as  aforesaid. 

Sect.  5.  A  city  or  town  in  which  any  such  public   Buildings  for 

instruction 

domain  is  situated  may  erect  thereon  any  building  for    and  recreation 

,,..  .  .  .iijii  1  ™*y  be  built. 

public  instruction  or  recreation,  provided  that  such  use 
thereof  is  not  in  the  judgment  of  said  board  inconsist- 
ent with  the  purposes  expressed  in  section  one. 


An  Act  to  Establish  an  Agricultural  Experiment 
Station. 

[Chapter  212,  Acts  of  1882,  Sections  1,  2  and  3.] 

Section  1 .     An  agricultural  experiment  station  shall   Experiment 

°  "•  station  estab* 

be  established  and  maintained  at  the   Massachusetts    iished. 
agricultural  college  in  the  town  of  Amherst. 

Sect.  2.  The  management  of  said  station  shall  be  Management 
vested  in  aboard  of  control  of  seven  persons,  of  which  board  of 
board  the  governor  shall  be  president  ex  officio,  and  of 
which  two  members  shall  be  elected  from  the  state  board 
of  agriculture,  by  said  board  of  agriculture  ;  two  from 
the  trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  agricultural  college, 
by  said  trustees  ;  one  from  the  Massachusetts  society 
for  promoting  agriculture,  by  said  society ;  and  the 
remaining  member  shall  be  the  president  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts agricultural  college.  The  said  board  shall 
choose  a  secretary  and  treasurer, 

[Section  2  has  been  amended  by  Acts  of  1888, 
chap.  333,  sect.  1.  The  management  of  said  station 
shall  be  vested  in  a  board  of  control  of  eleven  persons, 
of  which  board  the  governor  shall  be  president  ex 
officio,  and  of  which  two  members  shall  be  elected 
from  the  state  board  of  agriculture,  by  said  board  of 
agriculture  ;  two  from  the  trustees  of  the  Massachu- 
setts agricultural  college,  by  said  trustees  ;  one  from 
the  Massachusetts  society  for  promoting  agriculture, 
by  said  society ;   one  from  the  Massachusetts  state 


control. 


10 


Laws  Relating  to  the 


Proviso. 


Board  to 
make  report 
to  the  legis- 
lature. 


Agricultural 
experiment 
station  to 
make  annual 
report  to 
board  of  agri- 
culture. 


Board  of 
Bupervisors  of 
statistics. 


grange,  by  said  state  grange  ;  one  from  the  Massachu- 
setts horticultural  society,  by  said  society ;  and  the 
remaining  members  shall  be  the  president  of  the 
Massachusetts  agricultural  college,  the  director  of 
the  Massachusetts  agricultural  experiment  station 
and  the  secretary  of  the  state  board  of  agriculture  ; 
provided,  however,  that  no  person  so  elected  by  any  of 
the  above  named  boards  or  societies  shall  continue  to 
be  a  member  of  said  board  of  control  after  he  has 
ceased  to  be  a  member  of  the  board  or  of  the  society 
by  which  he  was  elected.  The  said  board  shall  choose 
a  secretary  and  treasurer.] 

Sect.  3.  The  said  board  of  control  shall  hold  an 
annual  meeting  in  the  month  of  January,  at  which  time 
it  shall  make  to  the  legislature  a  detailed  report  of  all 
moneys  expended  by  its  order,  and  of  the  results  of 
the  experiments  and  investigations  conducted  at  said 
station,  with  the  name  of  each  experimenter  attached 
to  the  report  of  his  own  work,  which  detailed  report 
shall  be  printed  in  the  annual  report  of  the  secretary 
of  the  state  board  of  agriculture. 

Ak  Act  Relating  to  the  Annual  Report  or  the 
Board  of  Control  of  the  Ag^jicultural  Ex- 
periment Station. 

[Chapter  105,  Acts  of  1883.] 

The  board  of  control  of  the  agricultural  experiment 
station  shall  annually,  in  the  month  of  January,  make 
a  detailed  report  to  the  state  board  of  agriculture  of  all 
moneys  expended  by  its  order,  and  of  the  results  of 
the  experiments  and  investigations  conducted  at  said 
station,  with  the  name  of  each  experimenter  attached 
to  the  report  of  his  own  work. 

The  Board  op  Supervisors  of  Statistics. 
[P.  S.,  Chapter  31,  Section  17.] 
Sect.  17.  The  secretary  of  the  commonwealth,  the 
secretaries  of  the  boards  of  agriculture,  of  education, 
and  of  the  state  board  of  health,  lunacy,  and  charity, 
and  the  chief  of  the  bureau  of  statistics  of  labor, 
shall  constitute  a  board  of  supervisors  of  statistics, 
who  shall  serve  without  pay. 


Board  of  Agriculture. 


11 


An  Act  Concerning  the  Printing  and  Distribution 

OF  certain  Reports  and  Documents. 

[Chapter  369,  Acts  of  1885,  Section  1.] 

Sect.  1.  There  shall  be  printed  annually  the 
number  of  copies  of  documents  and  reports  specified 
in  this  section,  the  same  to  be  numbered  in  the  series 
of  Public  Documents,  and  distributed  as  herein  pro- 
vided :  Report  of  secretary  of  board  of  agriculture, 
twelve  thousand  copies  ;  twenty-five  copies  thereof  to 
be  furnished  to  each  member  of  the  legislature. 

This  has  been  amended  by  Acts  of  1888,  chap,  256  :  — 

Sect.  1.  There  shall  be  printed  annually  fifteen 
thousand  copies  of  the  report  of  the  secretary  of  the 
state  board  of  agriculture  ;  and  twenty-five  thousand 
copies  of  the  report  of  the  board  of  control  of  the 
state  agricultural  experiment  station. 

Sect.  2.  Of  the  reports  of  the  board  of  control  of 
the  state  agricultural  experiment  station  provided  for 
in  section  one  of  this  chapter,  fifteen  thousand  copies 
shall  be  bound  with  reports  of  the  secretary  of  the 
state  board  of  agriculture,  and  eight  thousand  copies 
shall  be  for  the  use  of  the  said  board  of  control. 


Documents 
and  reports. 


Agriculture. 


Additional 
reports  of  the 
secretary  of 
the  state  board 
of  agriculture, 
etc. 


Distribution 
and  binding  of 
reports. 


Printing  and  Distribution  of   Public   Documents. 
[P.  S.,  Chapter  4,  Section  11.] 
Sect.  11.     The  treasurer,  auditor,  attorney-general,    Report  of  the 

'  ./    o  '     board  of  agri- 

adiutant-general,  board  of   education,    and   board   of   culture  may 

•'  °  '  ,  ,  be  put  m  type 

agriculture,  may  require  any  portion  of  their  reports  to   in  advance. 
be   put  in  type  previous  to  the   first   Wednesday  in 
January  annually,  when  the  same  can  be  done  consist- 
ently with  the  public  advantage. 

An  Act  for  the  Suppresston  of  Contagious  Diseases 

AMONG  Domestic  Animals. 

[Chapter  252,  Acts  of  1887,  Section  19]. 

Sect.  19.     Cattle  commissioners  now  or  hereafter 

appointed  shall  keep  a  full  record  of  their  doings,  and 

report  the  same  to  the  legislature  on  or  before  the 

tenth   day   of    January   in   each   year   unless    sooner 

required  by  the  governor  ;  and  an  abstract  of  the  same 

shall  be  printed  in  the  annual  report  of  the  state  board 

of  agriculture. 


Abstract  of 
report  of 
cattle  commis- 
sioners to  be 
printed  in 
report  of 
board  of  agri- 
culture. 


12 


Relating  to  Agricultural  and 


STATUTES   RELATING    TO   AGRICULTURAL   AND 
HORTICULTURAL    SOCIETIES. 


PUBLIC    STATUTES.  — CHAPTER    114. 


INDEX. 


Section 

1.  Agricultural  societies  may  be  en- 
titled to  annual  sum  from  the 
treasury,  by,  etc. 

2.  Societies  claiming  bounty  to  file 
certificate. 

3.  Amount  of  bounty.  State  board 
may  withhold  same. 

4.  Societies  may  make  rules  for  dis- 
tribution of  bounty. 

5.  to  make  annual  returns,  with  pas- 
sages, etc.,  marked. 

6.  Forfeiture  of  bounty. 

7.  Premiums  to  be  offered  by  societies, 
etc. 

8.  for  trees  for  ship  timber. 

9.  All  citizens  of  county  may  become 
members,  and  compete  for  pre- 
miums. 

10.  Surplus  to  be  at  interest. 

11.  To  what  societies  provisions  apply. 

12.  Cattle  shows  regulated. 

13.  Penalty. 

14.  Extent  of  foregoing  provisions. 


Section 

15.  Marshals  to  be  appointed;  to  have 
powers  of  constables. 

16.  Rules  for  ascertaining  amount  of 
premium  crops. 

17.  Premiums  for  experiments. 

ASSOCIATIONS    FOR   ENCOURAGING 
AGRICULTURE,    ETC. 

18.  Ten  or  more  persons  may  become  a 
corporation.    Powers. and  privileges. 

farmers'  clubs. 

19.  Farmers'  clubs  to  receive  publica- 
tions, etc. 

GOOD   ORDER   AT   FAIRS,  ETC. 

20.  Societies,  etc.,  may  make  regula- 
tions for  preservation  of  peace  at 
fairs,  etc. 

21.  Booths,  etc.,  not  to  be  established 
within  half  mile  of  cattle  shows, 
without  consent.  Gaming,  etc., 
prohiljited. 

22.  Penalty. 


Agricultural 
societies  may 
be  entitled  to 
annual  sum 
from  the 
treasury,  by, 
etc. 


Section  1.  Every  incorporated  agricultural  society 
which  was  entitled  to  bounty  from  the  commonwealth 
before  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  May  in  the  year  eighteen 
and  sixty-six,  and  every  other  such  society  whose  ex- 
hibition grounds  and  buildings  are  not  within  twelve 
miles  of  those  of  a  society  then  entitled  to  bounty,  and 
which  has  raised  by  contribution  of  individuals  and  put 
out  at  interest  on  public  or  private  security,  or  invested 


Horticultural  Societies.  13 

in  real  estate,  buildings,  and  appurtenances  for  its  use 
and  accommodation,  one  tliousand  dollars,  as  a  capital 
appropriated  for  its  uses,  shall,  except  when  otherwise 
determined  by  the  state  board  of  agriculture  as  pro- 
vided in  section  three,  be  entitled  to  receive  in  the 
month  of  October  annually,  out  of  the  treasury  of  the 
commonwealth,  two  hundred  dollars,  and  in  that  pro- 
portion for  any  greater  sum  so  contributed  and  put  at 
interest  or  invested ;  but  no  society  shall  receive  a 
larger  amount  in  one  year  than  it  has  awarded  and  paid 
in  premiums  during  the  year  last  preceding,  nor  more 
than  six  hundred  dollars. 

Sect.  2.  Every  society  which  claims  bounty  shall  g,ai|^ijfg 
annually,  on  or  before  the  tenth  day  of  December,  file  fl°e""ertmcate 
in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  the  board  of  agriculture 
a  certificate  signed  by  its  president  and  treasurer,  speci- 
fying under  oath  the  sum  so  contributed  and  put  at 
interest  or  invested,  and  then  held  so  invested  or  well 
secured  as  a  capital  stock. 

Sect.  3.     The  amount  of  bounty  to  which  a  society  Amount  of 

bounty. 

is  entitled  for  any  year  shall  be  ascertained  by  the  cer-  state  board 

„,     ,    ,        .  T  T  .  may  -withhold 

tificate  last  filed  by  it  under  the  preceding  section,  same. 
But  a  society  shall  not  receive  bounty  in  any  year,  if 
the  state  board  of  agriculture,  having  first  given  such 
society  full  opportunity  to  be  heard  in  relation  to  its 
financial  affairs  and  general  management,  so  determines 
by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  whole  number  of  its  mem- 
bers present  at  its  annual  meeting,  and  by  its  secretary 
notifies  the  treasurer  of  the  commonwealth  thereof  on 
or  before  the  first  day  of  September  in  such  year. 

Sect.  4.     Every  society  receiving  bounty  shall  make  Societies  may 

1      •  /.  1  T        •!        •  i?    make  rules, 

such  rules  and  regulations  for  the  distribution  thereof  etc.,  for  dis- 
as  shall,  in  its  opinion,  best  pi'omote  the  improvement  bounty. 
of  agriculture  ;  subject,  however,  to  the  restrictions  of 
sections  six  to  ten  inclusive. 

Sect.  5.     Every  such  society  shall  annually,  on  or      to  make 
before  the  tenth  day  of  January,  make  a  full  return  of  turns,  with 

.  .,,.  .Til  passages,  etc., 

its  doings,  signed  by  its  president  and  secretary,  to  the   marked, 
secretary  of   the   board  of   agriculture,   embracing  a 
statement  of  the  expenditure  of  all  money,  specifying 
the   nature   of    the   encouragement   proposed   by   the 


14 


Relating  to  Agricultural  and 


Forfeiture  of 
bounty. 


Premiums  to 
be  ofl'ered  by 
societieB,  etc. 


for  trees  for 
ship  timber. 


All  citizens  of 
county  may 
be  members, 
etc. 


Surplus  to  be 
at  interest. 


To  what 
societies  pro- 
visions apply. 


society,  the  objects  for  which  its  premiums  have  been 
offered,  and  the  persons  to  whom  they  have  been 
awarded,  and  inchiding  all  reports  of  committees  and 
all  statements  of  experiments  and  cultivation  regarded 
by  the  president  and  secretary  as  worthy  of  publica- 
tion, and  with  such  general  observations  concerning  the 
state  of  agriculture  and  manufactures  in  the  common- 
wealth as  it  may  deem  useful. 

The  return  shall  be  marked  in  such  manner  that  the 
passages  deemed  by  such  officers  most  worthy  of  pub- 
lic notice,  study,  and  application  may  be  easily  distin- 
guished. 

Sect.  6.  A  society  which  neglects  in  any  year  to 
comply  with  the  laws  relating  thereto,  or  with  the  regu- 
lations of  the  board  of  agriculture,  shall  not  be  entitled 
to  bounty  in  the  year  next  succeeding. 

Sect.  7.  Every  society  which  receives  said  bounty 
shall  offer  annually  by  way  of  premiums,  or  shall  other- 
wise apply  for  the  encouragement  or  improvement  of 
agriculture  or  manufactures,  a  sum  not  less  than  the 
amount  so  annually  received,  and  shall  offer  such  pre- 
miums for  agricultural  experiments  and  in  such  man- 
ner as  the  state  board  of  agriculture  requires. 

Sect.  8.  Every  society  shall  annually  offer  such 
premiums  and  encouragement  for  the  raising  and  pre- 
serving of  oaks  and  other  forest  trees  as  to  it  seems 
proper  and  best  adapted  to  perpetuate  wnthin  the  com- 
monwealth an  adequate  supply  of  ship  timber. 

Sect.  9.  Every  such  society  shall  admit  as  mem- 
bers, upon  equal  terms,  citizens  of  every  town  in  the 
county  in  which  it  is  located,  and  all  premiums  offered 
shall  be  subject  to  the  competition  of  every  citizen  of 
such  county. 

Sect.  10.  All  money  offered  for  premiums  which 
is  not  awarded  or  paid  shall  be  put  out  at  interest  and 
added  to  the  capital  stock  of  the  society. 

Sect.  11.  The  foregoing  provisions,  except  the  pro- 
viso in  section  three  authorizing  the  state  board  of 
agriculture  to  withhold  bounty,  shall  not,  except  by 
special  enactment,  extend  to  an  agricultural  society 
incorporated  for  any  territory  less  than  a  county. 


Horticultural  Societies.  15 

Sect.  12.  Every  society  may  by  its  officers  define  cattie  shows 
and  fix  bounds  of  sufficient  extent  for  the  erection  of  its  ^'^^^ 
cattle  pens  and  yards,  and  for  convenient  passage  ways 
to  and  about  the  same,  on  the  days  of  its  cattle  shows 
and  exhibitions,  and  also  for  its  ploughing  matches 
and  trials  of  working  oxen  ;  within  which  bounds  no 
persons  shall  be  permitted  to  enter  or  pass  unless  in 
conformity  with  the  regulations  of  the  officers  of  the 
society. 

Sect.   13.     Whoever  contrary   to  such  regulations,   penalty. 
and  after  notice  thereof,  enters  or  passes  within  the 
bounds  so  fixed,  shall  forfeit  a  sum  not  exceeding  five 
dollars. 

Sect.  14.     The  foregoing  provisions  shall  not  author-  Limit  of 
ize  a  society  to  occupy  or  include  within  such  bounds     °"°  *' 
the  land  of  any  person   without   his   consent,    nor  to 
obstruct  travel  on  any  public  highway. 

Sect.   15.     The  officers  of  each  society  may  appoint  Marshals  to 

''  ^11  be  appointed ; 

a  sufficient  number  of  suitable  inhabitants  of  the  county  to  have  - 

.   .  powers  of 

to  act  as  marshals  at  cattle  shows  and  exhibitions,  who  constables, 
shall  have  the  powers  of  constables  in  relation  to  the 
preservation  of  the  public  peace  and  the  service  and 
execution  of  criminal  process  within  the  respective 
towns  where  such  shows  and  exhibitions  are  held,  and 
such  process  may  be  directed  to  them  accordingly  ;  and 
they  shall  exercise  their  office  from  twelve  o'clock  at 
noon  of  the  day  preceding  the  commencement  of  such 
shows  and  exhibitions  until  twelve  o'clock  at  noon  of 
the  day  succeeding  the  termination  thereof,  and  no 
longer. 

Sect.  16.     The    state    board    of    agriculture    may  Rules  for 
prescribe  rules  and  regulations  to  societies  for  uniform  fhe'a'^^ount^of 
modes  of  ascertaining  the  product  of  crops  entered  for  ^ro^s"™ 
premium. 

Sect.  17.     Any  agricultural  society  may  offer  and   Premiunos  for 

1    •         •  />     experiments. 

pay  premiums  for  experiments  in  the  cultivation  of 
crops  or  in  the  raising  of  domestic  animals  for  farm 
purposes,  and  no  regulation  of  the  board  of  agriculture 
to  the  contrary  shall  be  valid. 


16 


Relating  to  Agricultural  and 


Ten  or  more 
persons  may 
become  a 
corporation. 


Powers  and 
privileges. 


Associations  for  Encouraging  Agriculture,  etc. 

Sect.  18.  Ten  or  more  persons  in  any  county,  city, 
or  town,  who  by  agreement  in  writing  associate  for  the 
purpose  of  encouraging  agriculture  or  horticulture,  or 
for  improving  and  ornamenting  the  streets  and  public 
squares  of  any  city  or  town  by  planting  and  cultivating 
ornamental  trees  therein,  may  become  a  corporation  by 
such  name  as  they  assume  therefor  upon  calling  their 
first  meeting  and  organizing  in  the  manner  provided  in 
sections  twelve  and  thirteen  of  chapter  forty  ;  and  shall 
thereupon  during  the  pleasure  of  the  general  court  have 
for  their  purposes  all  the  rights,  powers,  and  privileges 
given  by  sections  twelve  to  fifteen,  inclusive,  of  said 
chapter,  and  may  hold  real  and  personal  estate  not 
exceeding  ten  thousand  dollars  in  value. 


Farmers' 
clubs  to  re- 
ceive publica- 
tions,  etc. 


Farmers'  Clubs. 
Sect.  19.  Farmers'  clubs  properly  organized  and 
holding  regular  meetings  shall,  upon  application  made 
annually  in  November  to  the  secretary  of  the  state 
board  of  agriculture,  receive  copies  of  its  report  and  of 
its  other  publications,  in  proportion  to  the  number  of 
their  members  and  to  the  applications  so  made.  Every 
club  receiving  such  copies  shall  annually  in  October 
make  returns  to  said  secretary  of  its  agricultural  experi- 
ments and  of  the  reports  of  its  committees. 


Societies,  etc., 
may  make 
regulations 
for  preserva- 
tion of  pence 
at  fairs,  etc. 


Booths,  etr., 
for  sale  of 
goods,  not  to 
be  eBtablished 


Good  Order  at  Fairs,  etc. 

Sect.  20.  Any  agricultural  society  or  farmers'  club 
may  establish  such  regulations,  not  repugnant  to  law, 
as  it  may  deem  necessary  and  expedient  for  the  preser- 
vation of  peace  and  good  order  or  for  the  protection  of 
its  interests  at  its  regular  or  annual  meetings,  shows, 
fairs,  or  exhibitions,  and  shall  cause  at  least  five  copies 
of  such  regulations  to  be  posted  in  as  many  public 
•places  on  its  grounds  not  less  than  forty-eight  hours 
before  the  time  of  holding  each  meeting. 

Sect.  21.  No  person  during  the  time  of  holding  a 
cattle  show,  fair,  or  exhibition,  or  meeting  of  a  farmers' 


Horticultural  Societies. 


club,  without  the  consent  of  the  proper  authorities  hav-   wuhin^Earr  - 

'  .       .  \     ^c     ™^«  of  cattle 

ing  charge  of  the  same,  shall  establish  within  one  half  shows,  etc., 
°  °  ,  without  con- 

mile  of  the  place  of  holding  such  show  or  meeting  a  sent. 

tent,  booth/or  vehicle  of  any  kind  for  the  purpose  of 

vending  any  goods,  wares,  merchandise,  provisions,  or 

refreshments.     No  person  shall  engage  in  any  gaming  Gaming, 

.  ,        horse-racing, 

or  horse-racing  or  exhibit  any  show  or  play  durmg  the  etc.,  prohib- 
regular  or  stated  time  of  holding  any  cattle  show,  agri- 
cultural fair,  or  meeting  of  any  farmers'  club,  or  engage 
in  pool-selling,  at  or  within  half  a  mile  of  the  place  of 
holding  the  same  :  provided,  that  any  person  having 
his  regular  place  of  business  within  such  limits  shall 
not  be  hereby  required  to  suspend  his  business. 

Sect.  22.     Whoever  violates   any  provision  of  the   Penalty. 
preceding  section,   or  a  regulation  established   under 
section  twenty,  shall  forfeit  for  such  offence  a  sum  not 
exceeding  twenty  dollars. 

Of  the  Suppression  of  Common  Nuisances. 
[P.  S.,  Chapter  101.] 

Sect.  10.  The  mayor  and  aldermen  or  selectmen  of 
any  place,  upon  complaint  made  to  them  under  oath 
that  the  complainant  has  reason  to  believe  and  does 
believe  that  a  booth,  shed,  or  other  temporary  erection, 
situated  within  one  mile  of  a  muster-field,  cattle-show 
ground,  or  other  place  of  public  gathering,  is  used  and 
occupied  for  the  sale  of  spirituous  or  fermented  liquor, 
or  for  the  purpose  of  gaming,  may,  if  they  consider  the 
complaint  well  founded,  order  the  owner  or  occupant 
thereof  to  vacate  and  close  the  same  forthwith.  If  the 
owner  or  occupant  refuses  or  neglects  so  to  do,  the 
mayor  and  aldermen  or  selectmen  may  forthwith  abate 
siich  booth,  shed,  or  erection  as  a  nuisance,  and  pull 
down  or  otherwise  destroy  the  same  in  any  manner  they 
choose,  or  through  the  agency  of  any  force,  civil  or 
military. 

Of  Gaming. 
[P.  S.,  Chapter  99.] 

Sect.  1 1 .  AVhoever  during  or  within  twelve  hours 
of  the  time  of  holding  a  cattle-show,  military  muster, 
or   public   gathering,    within    one   mile   of   the  place 


Booths,  etc., 
used  for 
gaming,  etc., 
near  cattle 
shows,  etc., 
how  removed. 


Gaming  at 
cattle  shown, 
musters,  etc. 


18 


Agrimdtural  and  Horticrdtnral  Societies. 


thereof,  practises  or  engages  in  any  gambling  or  unlaw- 
ful game,  shall  forfeit  for  each  offence  a  sum  not  ex- 
ceeding twenty  dollars.  If  he  is  discovered  in  the  act, 
he  may  be  arrested  by  any  sheriff,  deputy-sheriff,  con- 
stable, or  other  civil  officer,  and  lawfully  detained,  by 
imprisonment  in  jail  or  otherwise,  not  exceeding  twenty- 
four  hours,  until  a  complaint  is  made  against  him  for 
the  offence. 


Racing,  etc., 
declared  un- 
lawful, except 
trials  of  speed 
ut  cattle 
shows. 


Penalty. 


Of  Offences  Against  Public  Policy. 

[P.  8.,  Chapter  209.] 

Sect.  11.  All  racing,  running,  trotting,  or  pacing 
of  a  horse  or  other  animal  of  the  horse  kind  for  a  bet 
or  wager  of  money  or  other  valuable  thing,  or  for  a  purse 
or  stake,  made  within  this  state,  except  trials  of  the 
speed  of  horses  for  premiums  offered  by  legally  consti- 
tuted agricultural  societies,  is  declared  to  be  unlawful ; 
and  any  person  engaged  in  such  racing,  running,  trot- 
ting, or  pacing,  for  any  such  bet  or  wager,  purse  or 
stake,  or  aiding  or  abetting  the  same,  shall  be  punished 
by  fine  not  exceeding  one  thousand  dollars,  or  imprison- 
ment in  the  jail  not  exceeding  one  year,  or  by  both 
such  fine  and  imprisonment. 


Estate  of 

agricultural 

BOcleties. 


Property  and  Persons  Exempted  from  Taxation. 

[P.  S.,  Chapter  11.] 

Sect.  5.  The  following  property  and  polls  shall 
be  exempted  from  taxation  :..... 
Ninth,  The  estate,  both  real  and  personal,  of  incor- 
porated agricultural  societies. 


Regulations  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture. 


19 


REGULATIONS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF 
AGRICULTURE. 


1.  The  Board  shall  hold  an  annual  business  meet- 
ing at  the  office  of  the  secretary  in  Boston,  commencing 
on  the  Tuesday  preceding  the  first  Wednesday  in  Feb- 
ruary, and  continuing  through  the  following  Wednes- 
day, on  which  day  the  new  members  may  take  their 
seats.  The  meeting  will  be  prolonged  as  business  may 
require.  The  business  of  the  Board  shall  be  con- 
ducted in  accordance  with  the  rules  used  by  deliber- 
ative bodies. 

No  member  shall  speak  more  than  once  until  others 
who  have  not  spoken  shall  speak  if  they  desire  it,  nor 
more  than  twice  without  first  having  obtained  leave  of 
the  Board. 

No  member  in  debate  shall  occupy  more  thaii  ten 
minutes  at  a  time  without  leave  of  the  Board. 

2.  At  the  annual  meeting  an  executive  committee 
consisting  of  five  members  shall  be  chosen,  whose  duty 
shall  be  to  act  for  the  Board  in  cases  of  emergency. 

3.  The  times  for  holding  the  fairs  of  the  agricul- 
tural societies  receiving  bounty  from  the  State  of 
Massachusetts  shali  be  as  follows  :  — 


Annual  meet- 
ing. 


Executive 
committee. 


Times  for 
faoldinK  tlie 
fairs  of  the 
several 
societies. 


Amesbury  and  Salisbury,  ^th  Tuesday  after  the  1st  Monday  ia 
September.  J  .-i 

Barnstable,  4^  Tuesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  September. 

Bay  State. 

Berkshire,  2d  Tuesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  September. 

Blackstone  Valley,  4th  Tuesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  Sep- 
tember.^'^ ;  ,;^  /  ',  ,i. 

Bristol,  |th  'lUtetjda;'  after  the  1st  Monday  in  September. 

Deerflekl  Valley,  2d  Thursday  after  tlie  1st  Monday  in  Sep- 
tember. 

Eastern  Hampden,  .3d  Tuesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  Sep- 
tember. ,  (,_ 

Essex,  4tfr Tuesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  September. 


o 


1  ..I^ 


20  Regulatioii^  of  the 

/ 

Franklin,  4th  Thursday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  September. 

Hampden,  3d  Wrdnmtltt/nPt-^r  the  1st  Monday  in  September. 

Hampshire,  Sd-XtuutKlay^aftcr  the  1st  Monday  in  September. 

Hampshire,  Franlclin  and  Hampden,  5th  Wednesday  after  the 
1st  Monday  in  Septeml)er. 

Highland,  1st  Wednesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  September. 

Hillside,  4th  Tuesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  September. 

Hingha.m,  4th  Tuesday  after  tlie  1st  Monday  in  September. 

Hoosac  Valley,  3d  Tuesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  Septenibei-. 

Housatonic,  4th  Wednesday  after  the  ]  st  Monday  in  Septeml)er. 

Massachusetts. 

Massachusetts  Horticultural,  3d  Tuesday  after  the   1st  Mon- 
'Lu. —  day  in  September. 

Marshfield,  2d  Wednesday  after  the  1st  Monday  iu  September. 
""^^MarJJia/sJ^^meyardj^J^  Tuesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  Sep- 
tember. 

Middlesex,  1th  Wodnood.i}^  after  the  1st  Monday  in  September. 

Middlesex  North,  4th  Tuesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  Sep- 
tember. Ci^ 

Middlesex  South,  3d  Tuesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  Septem- 
ber. / 

Nantucket,  1st  Wednesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  Septem- 
ber. 

Oxford,  3d  Tuesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  September. 

Plymouth,  3d  Wednesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  September. 
//  Spenceiv^th  Thursday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  September. 

y  TTnion,  2d  Wednesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  September. 

Worcester,  3d  Thursday  after  the  1st  Monday  iu  September. 

Worcester  North,  4th  Tuesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in  Sep- 
tember. ■■;^.  I'rz 

Worcester  North-west, "Ss^ Tuesday  after  the  1st  Monday  in 
September. 

Worcester  South,  2d  Thursday  after  the   1st  Monday  in    Sep- 
tember. 
-  Worcester  West,  4 (h  Tlun-sday  after  tlie  1st  Monday  in  Sep- 
tember. 

J 

fnlf'^wuii'th"  ^'     -^^y  society  joiniug  with  tlie  New  England  Soci- 

NewEpgiaiKi    g^y'g  exhibition  will  be  allowed  to  chanoe  its  time  to 

society  8  ''  ~ 

exhibition.        coufovm   to  that,   aud   such   society   will    be  allowed 

to  merge  its  show  with  it  without  forfeiture  of  bounty. 

appofntedby         •^'-     ^^  ^^^  auuual  meeting  a  delegate  shall  be  ap- 

to^in;?ke'r'e-"'^   poiutcd  to  attend  the  fair  of  each  society  represented 

ports.  (^j^  ^jjg  Board  and  to  make    report   in  writing   to  the 

Board  at  the  next  annual  meeting  of  the  fair,  and  of 

\.  the  condition  and  work  of  such  societ3^ 


w/t^u 


Board  of  Agriculture. 


21 


6.  If  such  delegate  be  unable  to  fill  the  appoint- 
ment, he  may  exchange  with  any  other  delegate,  but  in 
case  he  cannot  make  such  exchange  he  shall  seasonably 
notify  the  secretary,  who  shall  appoint  a  substitute. 
If  no  visiting  delegate  appears  at  a  fair  of  a  society,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  member  from  that  society  to 
make  a  report  to  the  Board. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  of  this  Board 
to  transmit  to  the  secretary  of  each  society  the  report 
of  the  visiting  delegate. 

8.  The  following  is  established  as  the  standard  by 
which  crops  shall  be  estimated  by  weight  by  the  several 
societies  :  Indian  corn  in  the  cob  as  taken  from  the 
field  shall  be  rated  as  80  pounds  to  a  bushel ;  a  bushel 
of  Indian  corn,  shelled  or  dry,  shall  be  56  pounds  ;  a 
bushel  of  rye  56  pounds  ;  a  bushel  of  barley  48  pounds  ; 
a  bushel  of  buckwheat  48  lbs  ;  a  bushel  of  oats  32 
pounds ;  a  bushel  of  wheat  60  pounds  ;  a  bushel  of 
potatoes  60  pounds  ;  a  bushel  of  carrots  55  pounds  ;  a 
bushel  of  onions  52  pounds  ;  a  bushel  of  sugar  beets 
60  pounds ;  a  bushel  of  mangel  wurzel  60  pounds  ;  a 
bushel  of  ruta  baga  60  pounds  ;  a  bushel  of  parsnips 
45  pounds  ;  a  bushel  of  common  or  English  turnips  50 
pounds  ;  a  bushel  of  white  beans  60  pounds  ;  a  bushel 
of  peas  60  pounds. 

9.  The  various  societies  are  recommended  to  con- 
form to  the  catalogue  of  the  American  Pomological 
Society  in  the  nomenclature  of  fruits  at  their  exhibi- 
tions and  in  their  publications. 

10.  The  Board  recommend  that  cattle  entered  for 
exhibition  be  kept  on  the  grounds  through  the  entire 
exhibition,  and  it  is  required  that  in  any  event  they  be 
kept  on  exhibition  until  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
of  the  first  day. 

1 1 .  No  society  receiving  the  bounty  of  the  State  shall 
bestow  any  premiums  or  gratuities  on  grade  or  native  bulls . 

12.  Dr.  Charles  A.  Goessmann  has  been  elected  the 
chemist  to  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  and  Dr. 
Charles  H.  Fernald  as  entomologist  to  the  same  Board  ; 
and  as  such  they  are  introduced  to  the  farmers  of  the 
Commonwealth. 


In  case  a 
delegate  can- 
not attend  a 
fair. 


The  secretary 
to  transmit 
reports  of 
delegates. 


Standard  by 
which  crops 
shall  be  esti- 
mated by 
weight. 


Nomenclature 
of  fruits. 


Cattle  to  be 
kept  on  the 
grounds. 


Premiums  on 
grade  or 
native  bulls. 

Dr.  C.  A. 

Ooessmann 

and  Dr.  C.  H. 

Fernald, 

chemist  and 

entomologist 

respectively. 


22 


Regulations  of  the 


ExaDiluiug 
committee  of 
the  agricul- 
tural college. 


Duties  of 
examining 
committee 
of  the  agricul- 
tural college. 


Secretary, 
how  elected. 


Special  meet- 
ings of  the 
board. 


Public 
meeting. 


13.  There  shall  be  a  standing  committee  of  six 
members,  called  the  examining  committee  of  the  agri- 
cultural college,  of  whom  the  first  two  on  the  list  shall 
retire  at  the  end  of  each  year,  their  places  to  be  filled  by 
election  at  the  annual  meeting.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of 
this  committee  to  act  for  the  Board  of  Agriculture  and  to 
perform  the  duties  prescribed  for  the  Board  by  the 
Governor  and  Council,  as  follows  :  — 

1 .  To  visit  the  college  as  often  as  they  may  deem 
essential  for  the  proper  performance  of  their  duties,  but 
at  least  once  in  each  year. 

2.  To  inspect  the  property  of  the  college,  including 
the  land  and  buildings,  especially  with  reference  to  the 
adaptability  and  sufficiency  thereof  for  accomplishing 
the  objects  of  the  institution. 

3.  To  observe  the  methods,  extent  and  character  of 
the  instruction  which  it  gives. 

4.  To  attend  the  commencement  exercises  and 
examinations,  and,  so  far  as  they  may  deem  it  expedi- 
ent, participate  therein. 

5.  To  make  report  of  their  doings  and  observations, 
T^ith  their  views,  suggestions  and  recommendations 
concerning  the  institution  and  its  work  annually  to  the 
Legislature. 

6.  Power  is  given  to  perform  the  foregoing  duties 
by  and  through  a  sub-committee,  of  not  less  than  five 
members  of  the  Board,  to  be  selected  annually,  and  at 
such  times  as  the  Board  may  elect. 

7.  To  have  and  perform  such  other  powers  and 
duties  as  may  be  from  time  to  time  defined  by  the 
Governor  and  Council. 

14.  The  secretary  shall  be  elected  at  the  annual 
meeting.  The  term  of  service  shall  be  one  year, 
beginning  with  the  first  of  July  following  the  election. 

15.  Special  meetings  of  the  Board  may  be  called  by 
the  executive  committee,  of  which  one  week's  written 
notice  shall  be  given  to  each  member  by  the  secretary. 

16.  There  shall  be  an  annual  three  days'  public 
meeting  of  the  Board  for  lectures  and  discussions,  at 
such  place  within  the  Commonwealth  as  the  Board  may 
designate,  beginning  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  December. 


Board  of  Agriculture. 


23 


17.  Each  agricultural  society  receiving  the  bounty  Societies  to 
of  the  Commonwealth  is  hereby  requii-ed  to  arrange  farmers' 
and  hold  not  less  than  three  farmers'  institutes  each 
calendar  year  within  their  limits,  and  the  Board  will 
render  all  the  assistance  in  its  power  to  make  such 
institutes  interesting  and  profitable.  The  secretary  is 
expected  to  attend  as  many  of  these  institutes  as  is 
compatible  with  other  duties  of  his  office,  and  he  will 
provide  lecturers  for  the  institutes  as  far  as  the  appro- 
priation for  this  object  will  warrant.     And  the  several   Dates  for 

.      .  11.       institutes  to 

agricultural  societies  are  earnestly  requested  at  their  bedeter- 
annual  meetings  to  fix  the  dates  at  which  they  wUl 
hold  the  several  institutes  required,  and  the  subjects 
they  desire  to  have  discussed,  and  at  once  notify  the 
secretary  of  the  Board  if  they  desire  assistance  in  the 
procuring  of  lecturers. 


18.  Societies  may  arrange  and  hold  more  than  three 
Institutes  if  they  so  desire,  and  the  secretary  of  each 
society  is  required  to  certify  to  the  holding  of  each 
Institute,  as  provided  for  by  the  blanks  furnished  from 
this  office.  The  secretary  of  the  Board  will  not  be 
authorized  to  pay  the  expenses  of  more  than  one  lect- 
urer at  each  Institute. 

19.  All  societies  receiving  the  bounty  of  the  State 
are  required,  immediately  after  the  awards  of  the  sev- 
eral committees  are  made,  to  cause  to  be  attached  to 
each  animal  or  article  to  which  first  premium  has  been 
awarded,  a  blue  ribbon  or  card,  with  "  First  Premium" 
printed  thereon  ;  and  to  each  animal  or  article  to  which 
second  premium  has  been  awarded,  a  red  ribbon  or 
card,  with  "Second  Premium"  printed  thereon;  and 
to  each  animal  or  article  to  which  a  third  premium  has 
been  awarded,  a  white  ribbon  or  card,  with  "Third 
Premium  "  priuted  thereon,  —  to  the  end  that  a  uniform 
practice  may  be  followed  by  all  the  societies. 

20.  The  Board  recommend  that  the  several  socie- 
ties employ  experts  to  award  the  premiums  on  all  live 
stock,  including  poultry. 


Certification 
of  Institute 
lield. 


Expenses  of 
lecturers. 


Method  of 

designating 

premiums. 


Employment 
of  experts. 


Revised  list 
of  inemberH. 


Names  of 
offic«rB. 


Premiums  to 
non-resideuts 
of  the  State. 


Compliauce 
with  laws  and 
regulations. 


At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  State  Board  of  Agri- 
culture held  Feb.  5,  1891,  the  following  votes  weve 
passed :  — 

Voted,  That  the  agricultural  societies  be  required  to 
print  a  revised  list  of  their  members  iu  their  transac- 
tions for  1891,  unless  such  list  has  been  printed  in  their 
transactions  within  three  years. 

Voted,  That  the  societies  be  required  to  print  in  their 
transactions  the  names  of  the  officers  for  each  year 
ensuing  their  election. 

Voted,  That  amounts  paid  in  premiums  to  parties 
not  residents  of  this  State  shall  not  be  considered  in 
predicating  the  amount  of  State  bounty  the  societies 
shall  receive . 

Voted,  That  the  secretary  be  instructed  to  notify  the 
societies  that  they  will  be  required  to  make  their  returns 
in  strict  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  law  and  the 
regulations  of  the  Board. 


Mortgage  or 
sale  of  real 
estate  of  in- 
corjiorated 
ngricultural 
societies. 


An   Act   Concerning  Rkal   Estate  Owned  by  Cer- 
tain Agricultural    Societies. 

[Chapter  274,  Acts  of  1890.] 

Section  1.  No  iucoi'porated  agricultural  society 
which  has  received  or  which  may  receive  a  bounty  from 
the  treasury  of  the  Commonwealth,  under  the  provisions 
of  chapter  one  hundred  and  fourteen  of  the  Public 
Statutes,  shall  mortgage  or  sell  the  whole  or  any  portion 
of  its  real  estate  until  authority  for  such  sale  or  mort- 
gage has  been  granted  by  the  affirmative  vote  of  two- 
thirds  of  the  members  of  such  society,  present  and 
-voting  at  a  meeting  duly  called  for  that  purpose,  and 
the  vote  has  been  approved  by  the  State  Board  of  Agri- 
culture, after  due  notice  to  parties  interested  and  a 
hearing  thereon. 

Sect.  2.     This  act  shall  take  effect  upon  its  passage. 


Date  Due 


BKS    '"^ 

CAT.     NO     24     162            PRINTED     IN     U.S.A.                                            ffe^ 

e 


